Give a face lift to a worn dining room table with a fresh coat of paint.
Table tops, especially dining room tables, take quite the beating throughout their years. From scratches of plates to children banging their toys on the table's surface, a table's top can become worn, scratched or even dented. Rather than replacing the table itself, refinishing is a cost-effective alternative. You can enjoy the same table with the same color, or change the look of the table with a different color altogether. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Move the table to a well-ventilated area, such as a driveway or outdoor patio. Place the table on top of a drop cloth to protect the surface from spills.
2. Wash the table top with a solution of warm water and TSP. Mix the TSP according to the manufacturer's instructions for painted surfaces. Do not oversaturate the wood, but make sure that fingerprints, grime and buildup are removed. Allow the table to air dry.
3. Sand the surface of the table with 100-grit sandpaper until smooth and even. Pay particular attention to edges and corners.
4. Locate any dings, scratches or dents on the table top's surface. Use a small amount of wood filler on a putty knife and smooth the filler over the cracks and dents. Scrape away any excess wood filler and allow it to dry for at least four hours. Sand the area until it is even with the rest of the table top.
5. Clean off the table top with a tack cloth to remove any sawdust or dirt.
6. Apply a thin coat of an oil-based primer to the surface of the table top using a paint roller. Apply the primer to edges and corners using a nylon paint brush. Allow the primer to dry overnight.
7. Purchase a latex-based semi-gloss in the same color as the original table or in a different color. Use a semi-gloss paint due to its durability against scratches, bubbling and spills.
8. Apply the semi-gloss paint using a paint roller and nylon brush. Move in the same direction as the grain of the wood. Do not apply a thick coat of paint. Instead, apply a thin coat and apply a second coat after the first dries. This will leave the paint finish looking natural.
9. Allow the table top to dry overnight before putting it back in the house.
Tags: table with, surface table, Allow table, coat paint, different color, dining room, edges corners
